TOWN OF DEKAB, New York (WWNY) – When state police stopped a truck allegedly carrying slaughter-bound horses in St. Lawrence County Wednesday, it was a historic moment for animal rights advocates who’ve been trying to shut down interstate pipelines.
As 7 News reported earlier, a Pennsylvania truck driver was arrested for allegedly violating a state law banning the sale and transport of horses for slaughter.
First arrest under 2024 law
It marked the first time anyone has been arrested in New York for violating the law, which went into effect in 2024, according to Sonja Meadows, the founder and president of the Maryland-based Animals’ Angels.
“I’m very happy that this law is being enforced,” said Meadows. “I usually do not get a happy ending, and it is very gratifying and rewarding to see this. And I think it’s a great precedent for future transports.”
Horses traced to Pennsylvania livestock dealer
State police said the 25 horses in the truck came from Rotz Livestock, owned by Bruce Rotz, in Shippensburg, Pa., and were destined for slaughter in Canada.
Meadows said Animals’ Angels has investigated Rotz’s operation since 2009, documenting conditions, following trucks, and tracing the routes used to move horses from Pennsylvania, through New York, to the Viande Richelieu horse slaughter plant in Quebec, Canada.
Conditions during transport
“I have documented many, many transports, you know, of slaughter horses, and filmed what they go through, and they’re all dead now,” said Meadows. “We have documented, more than I care to remember, horses falling in the trailer and other horses trampling them to death.”
She said trailers can reach temperatures well over 100 degrees in summer heat, combined with long-distance transport and deprivation of water and food.
“There’s nothing humane about horse slaughter from start to finish,” Meadows said.
Deadly 2013 crash
In one case in 2013, 30 horses from Rotz Livestock were killed when the truck hauling them caught fire on Interstate 81 north of Binghamton, Meadows said. According to published reports, the driver, Clarence Phelps, was from Watertown.
Shipments continued after ban
Meadows said that even after New York passed its ban, Rotz continued to ship slaughter-bound horses through the state.
“It was very disheartening, especially if you look at 2025 numbers of horses exported for slaughter by Rotz Livestock,” she said. “It was close to 1,600 horses in 2025 that suffered that fate.”
Meadows said evidence was provided to the New York State Attorney General’s office. She said the AG’s office replied in a May 2025 letter stating it would not pursue an investigation due to a lack of resources.
How the case came together
Meadows hoped 2026 would be different. Last Monday, she and another Animals’ Angels investigator went to Rotz’s facility in Shippensburg to observe activity. Nothing happened that day.
“So we started again on Tuesday, and there was a flurry of activity,” Meadows said. “Trucks were moving, horses were being moved, slaughter tags were visible on the horses, and the loading ramp was very busy.”
That’s when Animals’ Angels, the New York State Humane Association, the Warren County (NY) District Attorney’s Office, New York State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture mobilized.
State Senator Dan Stec, R-45th District, who represents part of St. Lawrence County, was also involved. He said he presented advocates’ evidence directly to state police and district attorneys.
“It was a great example of several organizations and the state police cooperating together,” said Meadows. “I mean, what a great team and what great champions for horses. And I’m very happy today.”
Horses now in veterinary care
After the truck driver was arrested Wednesday, state police said the 25 horses were taken to a veterinary clinic in Saratoga County. Meadows said the animals will be put up for adoption.
“I can tell you that they’re receiving the best care, that they are being monitored by veterinarians, and that they’re very happy right now,” Meadows said.
Driver’s court date set, Rotz’s status unclear
As for Rotz, there’s no word on whether he will be prosecuted. The driver was ordered to appear in DeKalb Town Court at a later date.
Meadows said the penalty for a commercial enterprise transporting horses through New York for slaughter is $2,500 per horse. The driver arrested in this case could face $1,500 per horse because he is being charged as an individual, she said.
Global horse meat market
Meadows said the global horse meat market is dwindling but that some countries still import horse meat from Canada, with Japan being the largest importer. Japan imports both horse meat and live horses for slaughter, she said.
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